During Imam Husein (AS)'s stay in Makkah, Imam (A.S.) received many invitations from Kufa, to go there and lead and guide them towards real Islam - the religion endorsed by Allah swt.  Imam (A.S.) decided to send H. Muslim (AS) as his emissary with a mandate to go and check the situation of Kufa and make arrangements for Imam's arrival.

H. Muslim (AS) left Makkah with his 2 sons, H. Muhammad (AS) and H. Ibrahim (AS) and arrived in Kufa towards the end of 60 A.H.  He was welcomed by multitudes and the whole atmosphere seemed congenial for Imam (A.S.)'s arrival.   H. Muslim (AS) wrote to Imam Husein (A.S.) and invited him to proceed towards Kufa. However, when the ruler of the time, Yazid came to know about this, he immediately dispatched Ibne Ziyad, his trusted advisor and commander of the army, to Kufa, to capture H. Muslim (AS) and in the event of worsening situation, to kill him.

Ibne Ziyad tried to capture H. Muslim (AS).  There was a ferocious battle -  H. Muslim on  one side, all alone, and over 500 soldiers on the other side, who were fully armed.  Kufa had never seen such a battle before - single handed H. Muslim (AS) defeated the army of 500.  More troops were called and it was decided that it would be impossible to capture H. Muslim (AS) unless he is tricked. A pit was dug and covered with leaves.  While fighting, H. Muslim (AS) fell into the pit and was captured.

He was mercilessly killed on 9th of Dhul Hijjah, 60 A.H. , the day when Muslims were getting ready to celebrate the festivities of Eid al Hajj. Thus he became the first martyr of the epic battle of Karbala.  He is buried in Kufa and thousands of people go annually to visit his grave and pay their respect.

Our deepest condolences to the Muslim Ummah and especially to the lovers of Ahlul Bait A.S., On the death anniversary of Imam Husein's Ambassador and
the first martyr of the epic battle of Karbala - Janabe Muslim a.s.

ICA - Project Enlightenment